How severe is CVE-2020-29050?

CVE-2020-29050 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-29050 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-29050?

CVE-2020-29050 primarily affects Sphinxsearch Sphinx. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-29050?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-29050 published?

CVE-2020-29050 was published on 2022-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-29050

CVE-2020-29050 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sphinxsearch Sphinx with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Sphinxsearch Sphinx
Published: 2022-01-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2019-14511) because the mysql client can be used for CALL SNIPPETS and load_file operations on a full pathname (e.g., a file in the /etc directory). NOTE: this is unrelated to CMUSphinx.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-29050?: SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2019-14511) because the mysql client can be used for CALL SNIPPETS and load_file operations on a full pathname (e.g., a file in the /etc directory). NOTE: this is unrelated to CMUSphinx.
How severe is CVE-2020-29050?: CVE-2020-29050 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-29050 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-29050?: CVE-2020-29050 primarily affects Sphinxsearch Sphinx. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-29050?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-29050 published?: CVE-2020-29050 was published on 2022-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:sphinxsearch:sphinx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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